—Do you still have some time?— Franco asked with excitement —I found a bookshelf that needs help. I'm in the middle of one of its tasks. Will you help me complete them?
—Sure — Adam replied, curious about the task —But let me ask my godfather first. What's the task?
—I have to take this book to a bookshelf — Franco replied, waving a black book around.
The book seemed pretty ordinary, just a regular black hardcover book. It had the inscription: 'An Hour of Adventures' Adam asked his godfather if he should help or not, and his godfather responded:
'It's what we've been waiting for... Those protected by the baron are perfect transporters because the other librarians will simply ignore you. Go with your friend and get some treasure...'
Adam got excited; finally, waiting every day paid off. Joyfully, the boy shouted to his friend:
—Let's go on an adventure!
—Let's go!— Franco shouted, waving the book with enthusiasm —The bookshelf is on this floor, in one of the inner hexagons of the main ones. Follow me; I'll lead the way!
Adam nodded and followed his friend's back. On the way, the children crossed paths with many librarians who were trying to discover the new secrets of the bookshelves or testing their rules.
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Most librarians proceeded with great caution, so they took a long time to make their decisions, which meant the two children couldn't see the final outcomes, for better or worse.
—We're quite close: the bookshelf is in hexagon 2— Franco added joyfully.
—Does this bookshelf have complicated rules?— Adam asked on the way.
The bookshelves were inside the main hexagon, so they had to go through a few aisles, and they were somewhat hidden.
—I don't know; we just have to deliver the book...— Franco replied with concern —Just in case, let's not try to read their books; it could be dangerous.
—Yes, that sounds like a good idea— Adam responded. He didn't want to get into trouble; he still remembered what happened with the old lady's bookshelf. If it weren't for that ragged old man who found it useful, they could have turned him into a book.
The two boys entered the interior of hexagon 2, but when they were about to go into the inner aisles, two librarians with somewhat tattered black robes approached them.
Adam got scared; he remembered what his godfather told him, but he was still afraid.
—What are two kids doing here?— asked one of the men, sporting a long beard and a greedy look on his face —You better hand over that black book, kid.
—Yeah, you should listen to him— the other man said, approaching the boys —These aisles are very lonely. If you disappear here, they'll only blame the bookshelves!
Adam was about to burst into tears; according to his godfather, the librarians should have just ignored him. The boy never imagined this could happen to him.
But when the two men were just a few steps away from the boys, a wooden head formed on the bookshelf next to them and yelled in a strangely accented pirate voice:
—Touch the lad, and I'll kill ya, lizard!
The two men heard the rules and ran away; it seemed the black book wasn't worth that much.
Adam looked at the head that had saved him and thanked it in his heart. The head was made of black wood, with an eye patch and a captain's hat.
—Thank you!— the two boys shouted in unison as they saw the men retreating.